Man Overboard Technology: Should Cruise Lines Take the Plunge?

Author
Christine A. Ladwig, Dana Schwieger
Region
North America
Topic
Strategy & General Management
Ethics & Social Justice
Length
3 pages
Keywords
cruise line industry
man overboard (MOB) technology
ethics
cost-benefit analysis
maritime
Copyright Holder
Journal of Critical Incidents
Student Price
$4.00
Target Audience
Undergraduate Students

In a nearly $40 billion market conditioned by bottom-line numbers and thin margins, cruise lines are hard-pressed to invest in areas that do not result in significantly increased sales. One such budget dilemma facing the industry focuses on installation of technology intended to detect passengers who fall overboard during voyages. While only about 25 of the 22 million passengers who book cruises each year fall overboard, each life lost at sea draws attention to the safety devices available to protect travelers (www.cruisemarketwatch.com, 2016). Maritime regulations require cruise ships to use passenger surveillance systems. However, cruise lines are yet to be required to install more expensive, and at times problematic, man overboard (MOB) technologies. In this case, students are asked to consider both ethical and financial implications to determine whether cruise lines should invest in added MOB infrastructure.

Learning Outcomes
  • Identify the ethical, financial, strategic, and social implications in non-income generating business investments
  • Develop analyses to evaluate strategic safety options
  • Examine the role of ethics in business decision-making
  • Identify and discuss the responsibilities and liabilities of third parties
  • Recognize and discuss the interplay between legal regulation and personal responsibility in potential societal harms

Submitted by Gordon-Amber on Apr 29, 2024

Rating
5
Average: 5 (1 vote)

The MOB case was a most well written cases I have read. This case was personally recommeded to use as a reference in writting my own cases. 

Submitted by Riggs-Justyce on Apr 29, 2024

Rating
5
Average: 5 (1 vote)

This case was the best case thus far. It was interesting and well written. It also helped me with my own case. This case was straight forward and gave great details in the writing. 

Submitted by Hunter-Taylor on Apr 29, 2024

Rating
5
Average: 5 (1 vote)

The MOB infrastructure would be a great assest for cruise lines to invest in, so no one else dies from falling overboard.  It is pretty pricey, but it might save them more money in the long run because a family might try to sue the cruise line for a family member falling overboard.

Submitted by Loyd-William on Apr 29, 2024

Rating
3
Average: 3 (1 vote)

I think you should leave the decisions up to the market in order to know what the ticket prices should be for passengers to ride on the boat.

Submitted by zilton-kennedi on Apr 29, 2024

Rating
5
Average: 5 (1 vote)

  MOB technology intially sounds like a pretty outragoues idea, and I would have to agree! It would be a unnecessary increase the the cost of cruise tickets when the solution to the issue is to simply be more responsible when on a ship. The case it self it very well written and informative.

Submitted by Bruce-Jakobi on Apr 29, 2024

Rating
5
Average: 5 (1 vote)

With several factors that can influence your decision, this case really makes you think. Personally, I would not purchase the MOB technology. Even though it may sound heartless, I feel that 25 lives out of the 22 million passengers is not worth spending a massive amount of money on to create a slightly safer cruise experience. On top of that, I would not waste all that money on something that is proven to not even be 100% reliable.

Submitted by Pao-Yi-Chen on Apr 29, 2024

Rating
5
Average: 5 (1 vote)

Personally I do not agree with the decision that this company made, because I believe that we can make the money back again in some day, but we can't make people who died to come back again. I do understand that the company has the financial pressure from the stockholders, however, if today the person who fell off that ship is one of the stockholders's family, I don't think so that they will feel okay to make the same decision. 

Submitted by Fernandez-Adriana on Apr 29, 2024

Rating
4
Average: 4 (1 vote)

I think the case is very well written. It provides enough material and statistical information to make it easy when we decide what should the company do to prevent this type of accidents, if the company has to address this problem. It is clear that this case needs to be though using ethical and financial reasoning to find the way to act if you were the owner of this company.